Anthropology at Duke University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Duke University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Duke University graduates earn $44k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all anthropology bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Anthropology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (14 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | $43,924 | $65,916 | — | — |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $36,211 | $41,213 | $11,982 | 0.33 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $29,518 | — | $26,000 | 0.88 |
| Western Carolina University | $28,262 | $38,932 | $22,595 | 0.80 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | $27,805 | $41,666 | $27,750 | 1.00 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | $25,901 | $26,671 | $27,000 | 1.04 |
| National Median | $27,806 | — | $23,000 | 0.83 |
Other Anthropology Programs in North Carolina
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill | $8,989 | $36,211 | $11,982 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh | $8,895 | $29,518 | $26,000 |
| Western Carolina University Cullowhee | $4,532 | $28,262 | $22,595 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte | $7,214 | $27,805 | $27,750 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro | $7,593 | $25,901 | $27,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Duke University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 11 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.